Philanthropic textile manufacturer Robert Owen once said: “To train and educate the rising generation will at all times be the first object of society.” Owen died in 1858 but his words remain as relevant as ever.

As a partnership made up of experienced educators, we were very well aware of the high stakes (and rewards) when we took on the task of creating a brand new dedicated sixth form college for the West of Leeds. To put it frankly: we had to get it right.

We are now within touching distance of seeing our vision become a reality, and will welcome the first students into Pudsey Sixth Form College this September. The fact that we have reached this stage is a testament to teamwork and a partnership of education providers that was formed to really deliver for the local community and future ‘rising’ generations.

The area’s schools first identified a growing pressure on local sixth form provision nearly 20 years ago, and their concerns increased as demographic figures started to predict a rise in the number of 16-18 year olds across Leeds. Of course having so many young minds to teach also represented a fantastic opportunity – but only if the right infrastructure was in place to do so.

In 2018, with their own individual sixth forms already at overcapacity, the schools sought a fresh and collaborative approach – and that’s where we, given our experience of successfully running Leeds Sixth Form College, joined the conversation.

The partnership that arose from these discussions – Crawshaw Academy, Co-Op Academy Priesthorpe, Leeds West Academy and Leeds Sixth Form College – agreed that a new dedicated sixth form for Pudsey would be the best solution; and so began the long process of working out the details.

Driving us forward throughout the planning stage were some non-negotiable goals and values that we have kept at the top of our minds. Chief among these was a commitment to support the needs of local students by providing a quality sixth form – offering a broad range of qualifications – which, by being on their doorstep, would feel like a natural ‘next step’.

Of equal importance was for this college – which has been built beside Crawshaw Academy – to support and work closely with local businesses and organisations to become an integral part of the community.

Our students will be studying in a building that has been designed specifically with their needs in mind, and enrolling on courses that we each, drawing upon our individual expertise and experience, have carefully researched and selected.

Like all undertakings of this scale, the journey to get here has not been plain-sailing and we have had some significant challenges along the way. These have been overcome thanks to the strength of commitment from each of the project partners, our pooled resources, and our collective belief that this endeavour will bring transformational benefits to the area.

The curveballs included having to come up with a different funding model after our carefully planned arrangements were knocked off course in 2022, when the borrowing rules for colleges were changed. That required a rapid rethink and we worked fast, as a collective, to team up with other organisations and lobby politicians on the issue. Thankfully, the Department for Education (DfE) ended up introducing a scheme that enabled us to finance our new sixth form via a £12.7m loan.

We are committed to becoming a good and valued neighbour in Pudsey, and a key part of that will be ensuring that orderly parking and travel arrangements are in place for the college. To achieve this, we have proposed a whole raft of traffic management measures which we’ll be monitoring, alongside Leeds City Council, to make sure they are working as intended.

When we welcome our first students, mostly from our partner schools, this September it will be to a college where they will be able study a truly broad range of A level, vocational and GCSE courses.

The partners thought long and hard about the make-up and mix of the curriculum, along with the overall ethos, to ensure this sixth form will serve Pudsey and its young people well while delivering the skills local businesses need.

Our focus will be on helping learners excel, where possible, while making sure they all fulfil their potential – and with the added benefit of being able to do so without the expense, and inconvenience, of having to travel into the centre of Bradford or Leeds.

We know we have to earn the trust and respect of the local community, because while each member of our partnership has a strong reputation individually, as a collective this is our first enterprise – and, as Pudsey’s first dedicated sixth form college, it’s something new altogether.

We will be aiming high, with a target of reaching our capacity of around 650 students by our third year – and we are looking forward to working closely with our learners, parents, and local businesses to reach that milestone.

Dr Phil Mark is Principal of Leeds Sixth Form College and Pudsey Sixth Form College, both members of Luminate Education Group.

Following a highly competitive application process, twelve Pudsey Sixth Form College students have secured places on the prestigious University of Leeds Reach for Excellence programme. They will take part in a series of academic activities designed to prepare them for university life.

The programme includes lectures, study skills workshops, and guidance on the UCAS process, giving our scholars a strong foundation for their next steps in higher education.

Daisy Gordon, one of our students who secured a place on the programme, said:  “When I found out I’d secured a place on Reach for Excellence, I was overjoyed and incredibly proud of myself for having the confidence to apply. Being selected means a lot to me, as I see it as a direct result of the hard work I’ve put into my studies.

 I’m really looking forward to the subject taster sessions and meeting current university students, as I think this will help me feel more confident about my future choices. Pudsey Sixth Form encouraged me to go for this opportunity, and I know I wouldn’t have applied without their support.”

Matt Harte, Deputy Head of Pudsey Sixth Form, said: “All of the staff at Pudsey Sixth Form are proud of this success, with our first-ever cohort of Year 12 securing so many places on the competitive Reach for Excellence programme. It’s an enormous achievement, and a sign of our students’ dedication in their work. 

The programme is aimed at young people in Yorkshire with additional barriers to attending higher education, and this shows the nurturing, high-aspiration environment we’ve built at Pudsey since opening last year.”

This achievement is a fantastic milestone for both our students and the college, and we look forward to supporting them as they continue to grow, excel, and make the most of the opportunities ahead.

As we mark International Women’s Day (Sunday 8 March), it’s an opportunity to celebrate the women shaping the future of education and supporting the next generation of leaders.

At Pudsey Sixth Form College, which opened its doors in September, Head of Curriculum Judith Fish has played a key role in building the college’s academic vision from the ground up. From developing a curriculum that meets the needs of today’s young people to creating a culture of collaboration and innovation among staff, Judith’s leadership has been central to the college’s first year.

We spoke to Judith about launching a new sixth form, the importance of supporting young people beyond the classroom, and her reflections on women in leadership.

What has been the most exciting part of leading curriculum development at a brand-new sixth form college?

The most exciting part of this process has been seeing how our team is developing. I had a very clear vision for Pudsey Sixth Form College, and seeing this come to life has been incredible.

That vision has only been possible because of the commitment of our teaching team and the quality, skill and passion they bring to their roles, both individually and collectively. This has enabled us to provide our learners with excellent subject teaching alongside amazing experiences and opportunities.

Now, as we move into our second year, we have the scope to develop this even further.

What makes Pudsey Sixth Form College unique, and how are you shaping a learning experience that meets students’ needs today?

When planning our curriculum offer, we carefully considered the needs of young people today, as well as what parents, employers and universities are telling us they want for young people. This led us to place a strong emphasis on skill development alongside academic achievement.

We have created a year-long programme of events and activities designed to support employability skills such as critical thinking and teamwork. We are also developing a range of diverse pathways including A levels, T Levels, AAQs and GCSE courses, alongside tailored careers guidance at both individual and group levels.

At the same time, we recognise that many young people need support with mental health, wellbeing and life skills that will help them become independent. We want students to leave us not only with excellent academic outcomes, but also with the confidence and skills they need to succeed in whatever pathway they choose.

International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate women in leadership. What does it mean to you personally?

On a personal level, I have been lucky to be surrounded by exceptional women throughout my life – women who make decisions, take risks and champion others, whether that’s professionally or advocating for their families.

Often these actions, and the sacrifices that come with them, go unnoticed. Having an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate these women, and the progress that has been made – or still needs to be made – is really important.

As a mother of two daughters who are just starting out in their careers, I also hope that moments like International Women’s Day inspire them to believe in themselves and take opportunities to develop their own leadership skills.

As a woman in senior leadership, what challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?

Like many women, I have experienced imposter syndrome at times. We don’t always fit the stereotype of what a leader is expected to look like, and sometimes that can make it harder to believe we deserve the roles we are in.

However, the support I’ve received throughout my career has helped me recognise and overcome this. Encouragement and guidance from leaders – both women and men – has been instrumental in giving me the confidence to take opportunities and make important career decisions.

Equally important is the support network around me. My family, friends and colleagues have played a huge role in making my career possible. As a mother and a wife, my career choices have only been possible because of their support and flexibility.

Who has inspired you most in your career, and why?

I’ve been fortunate to work in some exceptional teams and have been inspired by their commitment to excellence, their drive for improvement, and their compassion for one another.

Early in my nursing career, I had two managers – both women – who recognised my potential and encouraged my aspirations for leadership. Since moving into education, I’ve experienced the same support from passionate teams and outstanding leaders who have helped me develop further.

Their commitment to supporting individuals within a team is something I always try to replicate. This year’s theme of #GiveToGain, focusing on generosity and collaboration towards women’s advancement, really resonates with my own values.

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to leadership roles?

Take risks and try to overcome the fear of failure. Understand that you don’t have to be a superwoman to be successful. Find mentors who will advocate for you and support your development. And work on key skills such as communication and emotional intelligence, as these will help you lead effectively and support the people around you.

How do you foster innovation, collaboration and a culture of growth within your curriculum team?

For people to innovate and collaborate, they need to feel safe, valued and respected.

Creating a culture where mistakes can be made without fear, ideas can be shared openly, and people are trusted with autonomy is essential. This relies on strong communication, trust and a shared vision.

At Pudsey, we’ve worked hard to create that culture. I try to lead by example by working collaboratively, sharing ideas and actively seeking feedback.

We also celebrate success – both individual and collective – through staff shout-outs, awards and opportunities for reflection. But ultimately, our team is united by a shared goal: supporting the success of our students.

Looking ahead, what are your hopes for Pudsey Sixth Form College and its students?

In our first term, we buried a time capsule containing messages from our first cohort of students. My hope is that when it is opened in 25 years’ time, the experiences of students are still reflected in those words.

One student wrote: “Being 16 is tough, so don’t be too hard on yourself – and I hope you are having an amazing time at sixth form.”

I hope we are creating a lasting legacy for post-16 education in the area, and that Pudsey Sixth Form College will continue to build a reputation for excellence in the experience it provides for its learners, staff and the wider community.